College of Nursing graduates Class of 2013

May 23, 2013 by Holly Shive

K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, presents keynote address.

The Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Nursing held commencement ceremonies Friday, May 17, at Rudder Auditorium on the Texas A&M University campus. The college graduated 89 students with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

The ceremony kicked off with a welcome by Dean Sharon Wilkerson, Ph.D., RN, CNE, followed by stage party introductions by Health Science Center Interim President Jere Pederson.

Commencement speaker K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, the Mary Coulter Dowdy Distinguished Nursing Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler and a nurse consultant for health policy and workforce issues relating to generational needs of nurses, spoke to the importance of the worthy profession and quest for accomplishment in the graduates’ career path.

“I applaud your success and am honored to be here to welcome you into the nursing profession,” Dr. Wieck said. “It’s a great time to be a nurse, and your future is out there waiting for you. I wish you success and happiness.”

The College of Nursing also presented several awards during the ceremony.

Graduate Mendy Sharpe, of Pflugerville, was honored with the Advancing the Profession Award, which recognizes a graduating RN-to-B.S.N. student who has shown exceptional scholarship and creativity in the ePortfolio project.

The Community Service Champion Award was presented to graduate Brian “Cosmo” Lin, of Plano. The awardrecognizes a graduate who has shown outstanding service to the college, the nursing profession and the community.

Graduate Andrew Barner, of Round Rock, was honored with the Emerging Professional Award. The award is presented to a graduate who demonstrates exemplary professionalism, both in the classroom and in the clinical setting, as well as through participation in student organizations.

The Dean’s Excellence Award was awarded to graduate Alexandria Wood, of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The award is presented to a graduate who has reflected the philosophy of the college by a commitment to knowledge, discovery, and service and must rank in the top 25 percent of the class.

The W.F. (Boy) and Johnnie Hasskarl Humanism in Nursing Award was presented to graduate Jasmine Bohlender, of Dalhart. The award is named in honor of Dr. W.F. (Boy) Hasskarl and his wife, Johnnie, who lived in and served the Brenham community for over 90 years. With this award, the Board of Directors of the Hospice Brazos Valley Living Endowment join the Hasskarl family in honoring Dr. and Mrs. Hasskarl for their service to others. This award honors not only the Hasskarls, but the College of Nursing graduate that exemplifies the attributes of integrity, compassion, altruism, empathy and service.

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